Steaming and pressing machine



Oct. 22, 1929.

M. A. HIGH 1,732,890

STEAMING AND PRESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l /NVfh/TR. ,f MATT/fw J4. H/GH. l 3

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a 7 6 2 2 2n., zn z 7 A' 2 'flllarllvlrlrnrlfff lll un. @m w 0H m ,7. T T WW A @5A UM i o w k Hl a o n@ Patented Oct. 22, 1929 PATENT OFFICE MATTHEW A. IIIGH, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA STEAMNG AND PRESSING MACHINE Application led December 9, 1927. .Serial No. 238,945.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for the steaming and pressing of articles of wearing apparel, draperies, starched, rougli-dried, or wet-cleaned garments, and textile materials of all kinds.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the kind above referred to, of knock-down construction, and which is portable and capable of being easily installed for use, and which is suitable for the household, small shops, and in other places where ermanent or larger machines are not desira le or available.`

The objects of my invention are accomplished by, and the invention is embodied 1n the new construction, combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings, and described in the following specification. The inventionis defined in the ap endedclaims.

In the drawings the several parts of the invention are identified by suitable characters of reference aplplied to them in the different views, in whic Figure 1 is a front View of my newly improved steaming and pressing machine, a portion of the wall of the buck, and a portion of the wall of the pressure head being broken away, disclosing to view, 1n section, the interior construction of these parts.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the niachine, portions of the asbestos covering sheets, and portions of the underlying asbestos and insulatory Sheets being broken away.

Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 1, as seen in the direction indicated by the arrow 3 in'Figui-e 1, the dotted lilies indicating the positions of the'several movable parts when the head is at raised position.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the deck buck, portions of the covering sheet, the padding, and the top plate and the horizontal partition plate being broken away; and the head and its connected parts having been removed.

Figure 5 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of the buck, taken on the line 5 5 in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Figure 1; coil spring 86 being removed.

Figure 7 is a detached enlarged view of the connection detail between the forward end of the hinge bar, and the cross plates of the head.

Figure 8 is a detached enlarged detail view of the connections between the st-rut pintles of the mover frame bars and the hinge bars.

Figure 9 is anenlarged plan view of a (r3 portion of the boiler, portions of the wall being broken away, disclosing to view, in cross section,` the fines, and the electrical heater units reposed therein.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of the electric wirine` of the buck.

Figure 11 1s a diagrammatic view of the electric wiring of the head.

Figure 12 is a view showing the positions of the buck and head when the device is in the knocked-downand packed up forml for being transported or stored; the support frame structure, mover frame, and handle bar and wrist pins, being contained inside the buck, and the head being connected to, and secured in seated engagement with the bottom Harige of the buck.

Figure 13 is an end view, taken in the direction of the arrow 13, in Figure 12.

The present invention, broadly stated, contemplates the providing of a buck having a vcanvased or padded surface, a pressure head having a smooth lower surface adapted to register above the buck, a support frame attached to the buck, devices carried by the support frame which are operable to\ move the head to and from, and to hold same in positions engaged with or disengaged from the said buck, and heater means for the buck and head capable of being operated to heat either the buck or the head separately, or both the buck and the head simultaneously.

Features of novelty of this invention are that the buck is capable of being subjected to steaming, and steam heating effect of constant or of varying degree; and the head is capable of being subjected to a dry heat and heating effect of constant or of varying degree, the heater means being capable of such control that either the buck or the head, or

both may be energized either in successive or alternate order; and the degree of heat, in either one or both may beyaried with regard to the class of the material and the condition of the material that is being operated upon.

In the'present embodiment of my invention, the buck is of the formation shown in plan in Figures 2 and 4, same being about thirty inches in length, twelve inches in Width at one end and nine inches inwidth at the other end, and about five inches in height. The frame of this buck may be made of any Suitable cast or sheet metal, cast aluminum being preferred. The walls are designated as 1, 2, 3 and 4. A horizontalpartition web or plate 5 between said walls and located a short distance below the top plate 6 provides a steam tight chamber C which extends the entire length of the buck. Throughout the extent of the top plate 6 are perforations 6a of a diameter of about one thirty-second of an inch. Between the canvas covering sheet 8 and the top plate 6, is a ply of felting, or of cotton padding 9.. The edges of the covering sheet may be secured tothe rim portion of the frame, by cementing, or by the use of clasps or like suitable means. Inside of the offset lower edge of the walls of the buck, is a continuously extending ledge or seat 7 whose function will presently be referred to.

Between the walls 1 and 2, and below the partition plate 5, is a boiler 10 of suitable structure and form, secured in its position by brackets 10. In lon itudinal tlues 10b which are provided in this oiler, are retained electrical heater units, each consisting of an insulatory tubular easement which may easily be inserted into position. Each of these tubular casements 14 is of length substantially the same as the length of the Hue in which it is reposed, and in the said easements are retained resistance Wires 11, 12 and 13. Suitable terminal posts are provided at the ends of the easements 14, for the said resistance wires, and for the connection of the electric conductors 15 and 16, as shown in Figure 10. Terminal posts 17 and 18 which are secured in the end wall 3 of the buck, are adapted to be engaged by an attachment plug P carried by the usual conductor cord (not shown) that extends from the source of electric current.

A diagram of the wiring for the heater units appears in Figure 10, the wire 19 extending from the terminal post 17 to the resistance wire 11; and the wire 19a extending from the resistance wire 13 to the post 18. For the purpose of super-heating the steam (for the special requirements hereinafter referred to) additional wiring is provided. This wiring consists of a conductor cord 33 which is provided with an attachment plug 33a. This conductor cord is passed through a U shaped aperture 3 provided therefor in the lower marginal portion of the wall 3,

one -of its wires 35 being connected to the terminal 17 and the other wire 36 being passed in coiled formation about the steam pipe 20, and connected to the terminal post 18.

From the upper portion of the boiler 10, a steam pipe 2O communicates with the chamber C at a point substantially central of the plate 5, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. A valve 21 to vary the amount of iow through pipe 20, is operableby a rod having the handle 22. A water pipe 25 is provided with a hose connection 26 retained in a suitable opening therefor in the wall 2 and to which a hose H may extend from a suitable source of supply.

Near the point of communication of the water pipe with the boiler is a check valve 27. For forcing the water into the boiler I provide a pump 27.` of the plunger type, having the suction valve 28 and the delivery valve 2S), and its piston being provided with a handle 30. A suitable Water gau e 31, and a pressure gauge' 32 are visible, an easy access is had to the heater units 14, through a suitable opening l provided in the wall of the buck. as shown in Figure 1. For the discharge or draining of of water which may be the result of condensation in the chamber C, a pet cock 34 is provided.

A relatively small amount of water is necessary for the provid-ing of steam in amount sufiicient to fill the chamber C for the operation of the machine, as is also the use y'of a relatively small amount of electric current` to heat the water in the boiler. Between the side walls l and 2 and underneath the horizontal partition plate 5, are similarly slotted guide blocks 40 and 41 whose functions will e presently referred to.

The body portion of the head may be made of sheet or cast aluminum or other suitable metal of relatively light weight, the lower face of the plate 42 being of uniformly smooth finish, and there being the continuously extending marginal upstanding Wall 43. Pairs of spaced vertical cross plates 44, as shown in Figure 2, have their endssecured to the said walls 43. In the upper central portion of one of each pair of these cross plates 44, is a threaded bore, arid in the other one of each pair of the said cross plates, is a plain bore, the Said bores being in alignment. A wrist pin 45 has a threaded shoulder 45 and a wing head 45", as shown in detail in Figure 7, and it constitutes a removable bearing and connector element for the head end of the hinge bar presently to be described.

In the portion 43a of the wall of the head, i

other suitable dielectric material, are insulatory cleats 57 through which are passed, and by which cleats are supported, resistance wires 59-and 60. Adjacent to the terminal post 54, is a resilient contact strip 61 which is secured to a. contact post 61". lCrossing wires 62 and 63,.as shown by diagram in Figure 11, perform the certain functions which, together with the functions performed by the resistance wires 59 and 60 will be presently described.

Overlying the several parts just described, and fitted closely between the walls of the said head, are sheets of asbestos 70, 71, and 72, which lie in the same plane but are separated by the walls 44. These asbestos sheets constitute a suitable covering and an incombustible closure or easement between the walls 43 of the head.

Means to support the head, and to move same to and from, and to hold same in position engaged with, or in position disengaged from the buck, consist of a support device assembly, and a mover device assembly, the former being removably connected to the buck, and the latter being removably connected to, and operable in combination with the support device.

The support device assembly consists of similar complemental metal frame' bars 76 and 77 of C shaped formation, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 6, their extended straight body portions 76n and 77 being adapted to be easily inserted throughv openings provided therefor in the wall 2 of the buck, and through the slots of the guideway blocks 40 and 41, as shown in Figures 1 and 6. Stop lugs 76 and 77b provided on said frame bars serve to limit the distance that these bars are inserted, so that the heads 7 6"` and 77 of the said frame bars are in alignment on a plane arallel with the longitudinal center line of) the buck, as shown in the plan view Figure 2. The buck is adapted to be disposed directly on a work bench or table, or it may be` rovided with connections by which` it may lie attached to a special stand provided therefor.

Pivotally retained on the body portions of each of the frame bars 76 and 77, by a pin 78, is a hinge bar 79. One end of a strong leaf spring 80 is secured to a stud 81 on the :raid frame bar, the free end of said spring having bearing engagement with the underside of the hinge bar, as shown in Figures 3 and 6. In the forward end of each of the hinge bars is provided a bore through which the wrist pin 45 is passed when the severed parts are connected together, as will be presently described. At a position intermediate the ends of the hinge bar, there is provided a longitudinal slot 82.

The mover device assembly Consists of the parts as follows: Adapted to be disposed bevertical arm 84 secured at each end thereof, is a strut bar 83 from whose ends extend the pintles 83", as shown' in detail in Figure 8. Below and parallelwith the strut bar 83, is

Ia similar strut bar 85 shouldered at each end portion to rest against the inner faces of the vertical arms 84, and provided at each end with a pintle 851. These pintles 85a are of length to extend through the slots 84 of the arms 84, and` through the slots of the hinge bars 79. The springs 86 whose ends are secured to the strut bars 83 and 85, hold these members in connected position and hold the strut bar 85-at all times in close engagement with the hinge bars. A hand lever 87 of suitable form and length has its base-nonrotatively connected with the strut bar 83. ,By a set screw 87 it may be secured at the desired position convenient for the operator. When the hand lever is lowered to the position as shown in Figure 3, the head will have been brought to its engagement `with the top of the buck. The springs 86 serve to compensate for inequalities in the thickness of the material being operated upon, and they serve to maintain a uniform pressure downwardly, of the head. The function of the springs 80 is to facilitate the lifting of the head after the initial movement of the hand lever will have been made for that purpose. To limit the distance of the swing of the hinge bars 79, when the head may have been raised to -the extreme elevated position, (as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 3)k studs 76d and 77d are provided on the frame bars. 88 designates a stout handle which is secured to Wall 43 of the head.

To disassemble the device, the wrist pins 45 are first removed. The support frame members 76 and 77 are moved slidingly from the guide blocks 40 and 41, and disconnected from the pintles of the strut bars. The structure thus disassembled, consists of the buck, the head, two sup ort frames, one mover frame, one handle liar, and two wrist ins. To associate the several parts ust/ described, in packed up form, the buck is inverted; the several parts consisting of the support frame, the mover frame, the handle bar, and the Wrist pins are deposited upon the interior of the buck. The head is then disposed with its plate 43 in engagement with the seat 7 of the Walls of the buck. The hooks 90 and 91 are then nloved'into engagement with the studs 92 .and 93, whereby the buck and the head are held in the engaged position as shown in Figures 12 and 13. For convenience in handling the device in its packed up status, the handle 88 is provided. To install my invention for use, the pintles 83 of the mover frame are inserted into the bores of the heads of the frame bars 76 and 77, and the pintles 85'* are passed through slots 84a of the arms 84 and the slots 82 of the hinge c5 tween the frame bars 76 and 7 7 and having a bars 79. The head having been disposed in poy sition on the buck, the straight portions 76"L 77a of the frame bars are inserted into the guideways provided by the guide blocks 40V and 41, the head ends of the hinge bars coming into registration with the bores of the cross plates 44. The wrist pins are then screwed to seated position; and lastly the handle bar is secured to the mover frame strut bar, the machine being in readiness for use. and appearing as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

My improved steaming and pressing machine fulfills all of the requirements imposed upon machines of this character, in the handling of materials of all kinds, including articles of clothing and wearing apparel, and parts thereof, draperies, and the like.

For the steaming of plushes, velours, and similar fabrics, and for the steaming of wet cleaned garments, heat is applied only to the buck. In a machine of the size and capacity shown herein, the'quantity of water to be retained in the boiler is one to one and one-half quarts. The water may be obtained from any suitable source, and is injected into the boiler by reciprocating the piston of the pump 27 a.

By application of a standard electric attachment plug P to the terminals 17 and 18, there is the flow of current through wires 19 and 19a,

and the heater units 11, 12 and 13. A few minutes only are required for the generation of steam, the pressure of which steam is indicated b v the gauge 32. The amount of steam to be released into the chamber C through pipe 20, is controlled bv the openingr or closing of the valve 21. The steam making its way through the perforations 6a of the plate 6, permeates and passes though the padding 9 and the covering 8, uniformly.

By my invention, a variation of the degree of heat to which the head is subjected, is easily obtainable. Bvapplyingtheattachmcntphg to the terminals 51 and 52 there is a circuit through the resistance wires 59 and 60 (passing 53) giving an energy indicated by current consumption of three hundred watts. YVith theplug attached to terminals 52 and 53, there is then a circuit through the resistance wire 60, giving an energy indicated by current consumption of six hundred watts. With the nlug attached to terminals 53 and 54, there is then a circuit from 53 through wires 60 and 63, contact strip 61, terminal 54, and also through terminal 53, wires 59 and 62. and terminal 54, giving an energy indicated by current consumption of twelve hundred watts,

In the pressingof the heavier woolen fabrics in made-up goods such as mens suits and garments, and when quick drying is esential, the operation of steaming and pressing at the Sametime, is desirable. of the head and the buck simultaneously, for the above namedpurpose, the plug 33n is attached to any two of the terminals 51, 52, 53 and 54, thus closing a circuit through the resistance wires of the head, and over wire 36 To obtain the heatingaround pipe 20. The said pipe 20 being so heated, the steam passing therethrough is rendered dry and of such augmented efficiency that the heat of the buck is dry, and is mainwhen it is operated in combination with the head, for the purposes above referred to, the presence of moisture in the pressing operation is eliminated. This is an; important advanltage, as a hard seam such as is desired in the pressing of mens trousers and like garments, is easily obtainable, such moisture as there may be in the fabric. being evaporated, and the fabric being rendered dry. By my invention the use of vacuum devices for sucking the steam moisture from the buck is rendered unnecessary.

For the pressing of calicos, or any other kind of starched clothing or rough dried garments and materials, the head only, is subjected to heating. l

When the buck only is to be used, the head is moved to the elevated position by moving the hand lever 8T to the extreme dotted line position, as shown in FigureB. In the steaming and pressing operations, when the buck only, is heated, the function of the steam is only the steaming out of wrinkles in wet cleaned garments, or to raise the nap of velours and plushes.

The machine is capable of being easily disassembled and transformed into a status in which it is adapted to be easily transported, or to be disposed in an out of the way place. and in which it occupies a relatively small space. All of the parts, namely,-the mover frame, the C shaped frame bars and the parts connected theretothe handle bar, the wrist pins, and the plug 3,3a and its conductor cord, may be nested inthe interior of the buck when the latter is inverted. rThe head is then disposed in engagement with the seat 7 of the buck, and is then secured at its position, by the hooks 90 and 91.

I am aware that machines of the class to which this invention appertains have heretofore been devised, in which both the buck and the head are capable of being subjected to heat. I am not aware however that a machine of this kind has ever been developed wherein the steam generating and control lncans, and the heating means therefor, and for the heating separately of either the buck or the head, or for the heating of the buck and the head simultaneously, have ever been accomplished.

Whereas in' the present specification and drawings I have shown an embodiment which is considered as practicable and efficient for the purposes set forth, it will be understood that minor changes may be made in the features and details of construction, and in the manner of the combination and arrangement of the several parts of the machine, without departing from the. spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. I do not desire to be limited to the s ecitic details of construction shown, as it is o vious that modiications may be made, and equivalents may be provided, within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, by which the objects of the invention may be accomplished.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A machine of the kind described, comprising a buck, a head, a support frame carried by the buck, a device on the frame operable to move the head to and to hold samev in position engaged with or disengaged from the said buck, a steam generator in the buck, a pipe from the steam generator to the pad of the buck, a control valve in said pipe, an electric circuit in the buck, a resistance coil in the circuit and around said pipe, an electric circuit in the head, resistance coils in said head circuit, and a plug in the buck circuit adapted to be engaged with the terminals of the head circuit.

2. A machine of the kind described, comprising a buck, a head, means to support the head and operable to move it to and hold it in position engaged with or disengaged from the buck, electric heater elements in the head, a steam boiler for heating the buck, circuits for said electric heater elements in the head, terminals in said circuits, electric heater units, for said boiler, a circuit for said boiler heater units, and a plug in said last named circuit, capable of being applied to the terminals of one of the head circuits.

3. A device of the prising a buck, a head adapted to rest normally on the top of the buck, journal bearings on the head, a frame structure removably connected to the buck and havin upwardly and forwardly disposed ends, a inge bar pivotally connected near its rear end to the body portion of each side of the frame structure, there being a longitudinal slot in each of said hinge bars, a spring to urge the forward end ofthe hinge bar upwardly, loose connections between the forward ends of the hinge bars and the said journal bearings, a longitudinal upper strut bar having an upright slotted arm secured near each end thereof, there being pintles on the ends of the strut bar to have bearing engagement with the head portions of said frame structure, a lower strut bar having pintles to occupy the slots in said upright arms and the slots in the hinge bars, springs between the strut bars to urge same normally apart, vand a hand lever secured to the upper strut bar by which the latter may bemoved rotatively whereby the hinge bars and1 the head are caused to be raised or lowere kind described, com- 4. A steaming and pressing machine, comprising a buck having a padded surface a longitudinal chamber underneath said padded surface the top plate of which said chamber is provided with perforations, a steam boiler retained between the walls of said buck, a pipe extending from said boiler and opening into said chamber, a valve in said pipe, a heater for said boiler, a heater for said pipe, a head retained above and which is adapted to be moved to and from and to be held in from the said buck, a heater for the head, an electric circuit to energize the head heater, an electric circuit for the boiler heater and the pipe heater.

5. A steaming and pressing machine, comprising a hollow buck, a head, a support frame carried by the buck, a device on the frame operable to move the head to, and to hold it in position engaged with or disengaged from the buck, the said head, the support frame, and the mover device being in detachable engagement with each other, and being adapted to be contained inside the buck when disengaged from their operative positions.

MATTHEW A. HIGH.

position engaged with or disengaged 

